With the advent of economical solutions to home renovations, remodeling and new home construction; small sized rooms have begun to become mainstream. Eco-friendly spaces are smaller and less demanding on our planet and environment. More often than not, older homes have been built with wasted spaces and conventional building materials creating an unnecessary need for more consumption of our resources. Today’s modern home is being built and renovated with less.
A small room may provide the designer with more challenges, but when designed correctly and efficiently, provides the homeowner with an attractive, yet functional space. And windows play a big part of that designing process. Window placement is one of the most important features when designing for a small space.
Creating the illusion of openness in a small space is easily done by proper placement of windows. A fixed or picture window can provide any room design with the airiness and openness of the outdoors, without sacrificing the room or windows to elemental concerns. Many times multiple picture windows in association with French doors or sliding doors can make a small room feel like the biggest room in the house. What is outside of the window is what draws the eye, not the size of the room.
But you don’t have to be rich to make a small room seem larger with windows. Additional space can be faked with existing doors and windows by installing fixed glass arches or eyebrow picture windows above existing doors and windows. The higher the ceiling, the more windows can be installed.
While rounded, arched, eyebrowed or sun-burst style windows offer beauty and eye catching space solutions, they tend to be a little one-styled design. Another alternative to choosing windows for small spaces is to use rectangular or square windows versus round. They are easier to install, cheaper and create a feel of modernism that rounded picture windows just don’t have.
While windows in the wall are what you think of when installing windows, skylights, dormers and solar tubes all offer solutions to making small spaces feel larger than they actually are. Dormers are the most expensive of the lot and require the most work and maintenance; they do bring the most return on your investment. However, they are not always feasible in remodeling. Skylights are a cheaper alternative, but they too also require adequate space and structural stability to be installed. The solar tube changes all of that, by allowing light to enter through the roof in nearly any room or location. The only drawback they have is no actual view of the outside can still make a small room feel small.
